Do you want to know how we capture the images that you see on our website? Here is our photography gear guide, with links and explanations of our photography gear and accessories. At the end of this post, we offer tips and tricks on how to take better photographs while traveling.
Photography Gear Guide
The Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
This amazing camera is the newest addition to our camera bag. We started using the Canon EOS R5 in early 2022.
We have always been in the Canon family, and the vast majority of photos on our website were taken with either a Canon 5D Mark III or Canon 5D Mark IV (as you will see later in this guide). In 2022, we went mirrorless, both for better photo quality and to ‘hopefully’ purchase a more lightweight camera.
We are big hikers and the Canon 5D Mark IV with a 24-70 mm lens is a beast of a camera to carry on a hike. But we do it…Tim carried it all the way across the Grand Canyon when we hiked it rim-to-rim in a day.
Well, the Canon R5 is just as hefty and once you add on a high-quality RF lens, the R5 is about the same size but slightly heavier than the Canon 5D Mark IV, with a comparable lens.
So, it’s not a great hiking camera but it does take some incredible photos. The Canon R5 is amazing in low light, captures an incredible amount of detail, and is very easy to use. I love the touch screen, being able to rotate the viewing screen on the back of the camera, and the quality of photos that we get.
Currently, our set up is the Canon EOS R5 body plus the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM lens. In 2022, most of our photos were taken with this camera, with the exception of photos taken on the Walker’s Haute Route (a 14 stage trek through the French and Swiss Alps).
The Canon R5 has a 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, shoots 8K video, has an ISO range of 100-51200, and can shoot up to 20 frames per second. It’s an awesome camera for sports and wildlife photography, and in any setting where you want to track your subject. It’s a bit overkill for travel photography but I’m still very happy with our purchase.
I have one major complaint, and it is that the camera does not geotag the photos with your location. For a camera as advanced and expensive as the R5, this should be included, in my opinion. I still geotag our photos, but this requires attaching another device (the Canon GPS Reciever GP-E2), which adds to the overall size and weight.
VERDICT: The Canon R5 plus the RF 24-70 mm lens is a fantastic camera, but it is expensive, heavy, and lacks the ability to geotag photos without attaching another device. I think it’s a bit overkill for travel photography, but if you also have kids in sports or will be doing a lot of wildlife photography, then it is worth it. But to take city photos and hiking photos, check out the Canon 5D Mark IV, which we mention next.
Here are some of our photos taken with the Canon EOS R5 with the Canon RF 24-70 mm 2.8 L IS USM lens.
Sunset in Rome
Matera, Italy
The Canon 5D IV, Our Backup Camera
The Canon 5D Mark IV has been our primary camera from 2017 through the end of 2021, so most of the photos that you see on this website were taken with this camera. Prior to 2017, we used the Canon 5D Mark III, which is almost as good (several features were added to the Mark IV which make it a much better camera).
Canon 5D Mark IV
With the Canon 5D Mark IV, all photos can be geotagged using the built-in GPS, so I have the exact GPS coordinates for all of my photos. This seems to be an almost universal feature on cameras nowadays, so it’s not that earth shattering, but it is something the Mark III is lacking. You can get a separate GPS tagger for the camera but it makes the large camera even bulkier and heavier.
My favorite feature is the built in Wi-Fi. Now, I can transfer photos directly from the camera to my phone and then share them almost instantly on Instagram and Facebook. This is huge for me. With the Mark III, I had to wait until we were back in the hotel, transfer the photos to my computer, and then share them from there. Again, this may not be important for some people, but it makes sharing our photos and experiences on social media so much easier and convenient.
There are numerous other upgrades I love over the Mark III…a better, larger touch-screen LCD screen, an upgraded photo processor, and faster, more accurate focusing. The Canon 5D Mark IV is 30 MP full frame camera with the ability to shoot 4K video. The photos I get with the Mark IV are crisper and clearer than the Mark III, although it is only a mild improvement.
Here are some of my favorite photos taken with the Canon 5D Mark IV.
Canon EF 24 – 70 mm f/2.8 II USM Zoom Lens
The Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8 II USM lens is our “walking around” lens. 99% of the photos on this website were taken with this lens. We use this lens with both the Canon 5D Mark III and 5D Mark IV.
At 24 mm, it is just wide enough for landscape shots. The 70 mm gives just enough zoom to hone in on the action. This is one of the best Canon lenses you can buy and it is worth the price.
Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8 II USM lens
Wide-Angle Lens
I use the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens for landscape photography.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens
Many of our photos of the Dolomites were taken with the Canon 5D Mark IV plus this wide angle lens.
This is my newest lens and I added it in 2019 before traveling to Switzerland and Iceland. I got some gorgeous landscape shots, like this one taken in Iceland.
This is an expensive lens, but it is cheaper than the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens. This lens, with its f/2.8 maximum aperture, has an advantage in low light situations. However, it is a heavier lens and it does not have image stabilization. Not to mention that is almost double the price. But if you want a top of the line wide angle lens, have the money to spend, and don’t mind the extra weight, take a look at the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens.
Telephoto Zoom Lens
I used the Canon 70-300mm EF f/4-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens when on safari in Africa. I have also used it photographing our kids’ sports events. This is a great telephoto lens for the price you pay.
Memory Cards for the Canon EOS R5
The Canon R5 has two slots for memory cards, a high-speed CFexpress card slot and a universally compatible SD card slot. Our primary card is the Lexar Professional CFexpress 256 GB Type-B Card. We shoot in camera RAW and these files are recorded onto this memory card.
The Canon R5 camera allows me to simultaneously shoot a second file onto an SD card. I designate this second file as a JPEG file, which gets recorded onto a ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V90 300R memory card. This is my backup, just in case my main memory card fails (which I’ve never had happen).
Memory Cards for the Canon 5D Mark IV
The Canon 5D Mark III and Mark IV have two slots for memory cards, a Compact Flash slot and a SD card slot. My primary card is the Lexar 1066x 128 GB Compact Flash card. I shoot in camera RAW and these files get recorded onto this compact flash card.
The Canon 5D camera allows me to simultaneously shoot a second file onto an SD card. I designate this second file as a JPEG file, which gets recorded onto a SanDisk Extreme Plus 32 GB SD card. This is my backup, just in case my main memory card fails (which I’ve never had happen).
Black Rapid RS-7 Camera Strap
In my opinion, a good quality camera strap is a necessity. I use the Black Rapid Breathe Curve Camera Strap, a durable, comfortable strap that screws into the base of the camera and is worn across the body. It’s not the most fashionable accessory, but it does keep the camera safe from thieves or from accidentally dropping it.
Tripod
A tripod is another invaluable camera accessory. If you want to take photos with a long exposure time, a tripod is a must. There are a lot of expensive tripod options out there. What you are paying for is a lightweight tripod that is durable and will be stable when you attach your camera to it.
Peak Design Travel Tripod
I just started using the Peak Design Travel Tripod and I love it. It’s extremely fast to set up and put away, very durable and sturdy, lightweight, easy to use, and folds up into a compact cylinder. It’s also very expensive, coming in at around $600 USD, but for a travel tripod with these features, it makes it worth it for the serious photographer, especially if you plan to take a tripod hiking.
MeFOTO Tripod
The MeFOTO tripod was our first tripod and I highly recommend this one, too. It’s been around the world and Tim has carried it on numerous hikes and trips through cities. Even though this tripod has a low price compared with those on the higher end, the MeFOTO tripod has proven to be durable, lightweight, and dependable. On uneven slopes and surfaces we have not had a problem with it.
If you are looking for a cost conscious tripod that does a good job, check this one out.
JOBY Gorillapod Tripod
We recently added this great little tripod to our collection of camera gear. It’s small and it’s lightweight so it doesn’t take up much room or add a lot of weight to your backpack. The moldable legs can be curled around fence posts, railings, and trees. I’ve done this a bunch of times and it works great. This is a great tripod to throw into your hiking backpack rather than hiking with a larger, heavier tripod.
The Gorillapod comes in several sizes. We use the 5K stand because it is the only one large enough to hold our Canon 5D. If you purchase it as a kit, you also get the Ballhead, which allows you to swivel the camera on the tripod. I recommend purchasing the ballhead because it makes it much easier to level the camera when taking photos.
PacSafe CitySafe Anti-Theft Handbag
The PacSafe CitySafe Anti-Theft bag is a handbag, not a true camera bag. But I use it as my camera bag.
This bag is just large enough to hold my camera and the accessories listed above (other than the tripod, which Tim carries in his daypack) and few other small items. This bag is worn across your shoulder. It looks like a purse, so it is more stylish than a bulky camera bag. Plus, the PacSafe features, such as an RFID slot for your wallet, Slashguard fabric, and clips to lock your bag, all work to thwart pickpocketers and thieves.
Canon Powershot GX7 Mark II
This point-and-shoot camera, the Canon Powershot GX7 Mark II, is lightweight, tiny, and shoots great video. We upgraded to this point and shoot camera in June 2018 to use for our videos.
This camera shoots 1080p full HD video and it is an excellent compact camera if you are not looking to lug around a DSLR. 90% of the time we use it to shoot video but I have used it on occasion for photography when I did not feel like carrying a big camera around town.
This 20 MP camera can shoot time lapse video, take long exposure shots, and offers awesome image quality for a camera that is so small. You can almost keep this camera in your pocket.
If you are looking for a nice, small, inexpensive camera that also shoots quality video, check this one out!
Tyler used this camera and our drone to capture our most recent videos of 2018. Check them out our Earth Trekkers YouTube channel.
DJI Phantom 4 Drone
With a drone, you can capture some very unique photos and videos of the places you visit. It’s worth it, but it is another bag to carry onto airplanes and lug around with the rest of your luggage. Plus, there are a lot of rules about where you can and cannot fly a drone, so before you travel, you need to be prepared to do some research. There have been a number of times that we were unable to use our drone because of local laws.
We have two drones, the DJI Phantom 4 drone and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.
Most of our drone photos and videos were taken with the DJI Phantom 4 Drone. We purchased in 2016 for our trip to Scotland and Ireland and used it on several subsequent trips. Tyler shot this video of northern Norway with the Phantom 4.
In December 2019, we purchased the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, which is smaller, quieter, lighter, and takes much better photos and videos than the Phantom 4. Well, we all know what happened in 2020. With COVID and our travels taking us mainly to US national parks for the next two years (where drones are illegal), our drone just sat on a shelf in our house.
Recently, we began using it, but with new drone rules and regulations, and not wanting to disturb those around us, you won’t see many photos on our website with the Mavic 2. However, it is an amazing drone. We love the size and how quiet it is. Drones can be very disruptive to those around you, and the Mavic 2 isn’t as obnoxious as some other drones.
If you are looking into buying a drone, take a look at the DJI Mavic 3, which is an upgraded version of what we have.
Storing Your Photos
So, what do you do with all of those gorgeous photos you just took? Back them up!!
I keep a copy of our photos on my laptop and a back up copy on an external hard drive. We love the WD My Passport External Hard Drives. They are small, very durable, and are travel friendly. You can purchase them with 2 TB of disk space, more than enough room for years of photos.
How to Take Better Photos
I am a self-taught photographer. Everything I know about photography I learned from reading in a book and then by practicing it over and over again. If you want to be a good photographer, you have to take photos everyday.
Learn all of the controls on your camera and practice using them as much as possible. If you want to take truly great photos, you have to take your camera out of its automatic mode, and start shooting in aperture, shutter, or manual mode.
Here are some books that taught me how to take a better photo.
The Best of the Digital Photography Book Series
Scott Kelby teaches photography in a practical, slightly comedic sort of way. I am a big fan of his digital photography series. This book takes the best of his advice from the entire series and condenses it down into one manual.
Understanding Exposure
Whether you are a beginner or advanced photographer, this is a great resource. In this book you will learn all about exposure, one of the most important ingredients in taking your photography to the next level.
Learn more about travel photography: Capturing the Action: How to take Great Photos While Traveling
If you have any further questions, let us know in the comment section below!
More Travel Inspiration
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more of our photos, check out our Travel Photography page, which has links to photo tours from around the world.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more travel ideas, here are 10 unique destinations to put on your travel wish list and 15 fairytale destinations from around the world.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 30 great travel books and a list of the best travel movies to feed your wanderlust.
VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks.
EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For great ideas on where to go in Europe, check out our article 30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe and the 20 Best Hikes in Europe. You can also get more travel ideas in our 10 Days in Europe itinerary guide, which has 10 great itineraries for your next trip to Europe.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
Comments 67
Why not just get the latest iPhone?
Author
You can take much better photos with camera. You will see a few iPhone photos on this website, but iPhones greatly lag behind what a good camera can go. Cheers, Julie
Which ND filter do you use or recommend? I’m not sure what would be most useful between the 3, 6, and 10 stop options.
Author
I mostly use a 6 stop ND filter, followed by a 3 stop. I don’t own a 10 stop and so far haven’t felt it was necessary. Cheers, Julie
Love the drone pictures you have for the Iceland. Want to ask if drone is allow for most of the places you visited during your Iceland trip? If yes, I am thinking to get one for our upcoming trip to Iceland this summer. Thanks.
Author
We were in Iceland in 2019 and at that time, drones were allowed at some sites in Iceland. We only flew our drone at approved sites. If drones are not allowed, there is a No Drone sign at the entrance or near the parking lot for the site. I don’t know if drone rules have changed since our visit, or if less sites are allowing drones, but you can Google Iceland drone rules to learn more. Based on what you will find, then you can determine if bringing a drone is still worth it. Cheers, Julie
Thanks and everything is shared in this blog in a unique way. Keep going…
Hi
Long time reader from Ohio here. Do you use any filters on your lenses? Do you recommend any particular types? Do you have a brand preference?
Thank you,
K
Author
Yes, I use a polarizing filter and/or a neutral density filter, depending on the situation. B + W is the brand that I use. Cheers, Julie
Do you have a photo of yourself and your husband with some of the gear that you mentioned? I have a Canon T8i that I purchased for our dental office. Unfortunately, I would have to buy a “standard”/Non-macro lens to bring along on the trip to take family photos. We are strongly considering Yosemite due to the huge expenses of travelling to Yellowstone and Jackson (Grand Tetons). I was considering buying the timer remote controller, however, amazon does not sell this product (it is out of stock or not being manufactured). Also, I am considering buying the tripod, the BLACK RAPID RS-7 CAMERA STRAP, and a carrying case. We all wear water backpacks when we hike, so thats another concern. With all of the extra gear, we are a bit concerned about having to carry it around. We have done some tough hikes and are hoping to do the same at Yosemite, but are worried about carrying the extra gear and aren’t sure if its worth bringing a DSLR camera, or just using our iphones. Any thoughts that you might have would be appreciated (especially photos of you and husband with gear). Thanks in advance. Your website/blog posts are awesome especially for families that hike.
Author
I don’t have photos of us hiking with gear, unfortunately. I wear a hiking backpack. Inside is clothing, snacks, camera batteries, and water. I carry the Canon 5D on the Black Rapid Strap around my neck, supporting the camera in my hand when I hike. I very rarely use hiking poles when hiking so my hands are free to take photos. It’s heavy to carry in my hand on hikes but I have found it to be much easier than constantly taking it in and out of a backpack. Peak Design makes a clip that you attach to your backpack strap, so you basically attach the camera to the strap in front of your shoulder and release it to take a photo. That might be better than having a camera dangling around your neck the entire hike. We just got one but have not tested it out yet. Tim usually carries the tripod in his backpack (in one of the two side water bottle compartments). Many cameras now have built in timers and time lapse settings, so the remote timer may not be necessary. As far as if it is worth it to hike with a DSLR, that’s personal preference. They are big, heavy cameras and nowadays iPhones take great photos. We just got the new iPhones. The photos are very good but my DSLR is better, so for us, it is worth the hassle of carrying a big camera on hikes. I am looking into getting a mirrorless camera later this year, which will be smaller and lighter, but right now I still use the Mark IV. I hope this helps! Cheers, Julie
Hi! I love your blog and have really enjoyed all the practical tips about Iceland, as my husband and I are planning to travel there this summer. Do you have a recommendation for a backpack that would also protect a DSLR? Just reading about the unpredictable weather in Iceland, I’m wondering which kind of hiking backpack to consider purchasing to also protect my camera.
Thanks!
Leigh
Author
That is very exciting that you are planning a trip to Iceland! I don’t have a special waterproof backpack for the camera. But if I know I am in a place where the camera can get wet (rainy weather, kayaking, river hiking) I carry the camera in a dry bag. Sometimes we put a waterproof cover over the backpacks we already have and this works very well. We were able to get by just well using these and periodically drying off the camera from time to time. Cheers, Julie
Amazing and informative! Thank you for sharing!
Hi,
I was just wondering how you protect your DSLR when hiking, especially when you have to do rock scrambling. I am always too afraid of scratching or dropping my camera off a cliff to take my DSLR on adventureous hiking trails.
Author
My camera is attached to a Black Rapid curve strap. That way I can hike hands free, to some extent. The camera does get banged around a bit…it’s got some nice scratches on the body now. Putting a hood on the lens and a UV filter will help prevent your lens. But the strap does prevent you from dropping it, which is the most important thing. Cheers, Julie
Love your sense of adventure and imagery! I’ve lugged a variety of Canon cameras with me through the Inca Trail, Avenue of the Volcanoes (Ecuador), and carried my Canon 5D Mark III (with an assortment of Canon lenses) to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, but bought the Canon R mirrorless, with the Canon RF 24-105 f/4 lens when I got back from Kathmandu. Wow I wish I had acquired it before doing that trek. It replicates so much of the Mark IV, but is so much lighter! I hardly ever use the Mark III anymore on my hikes and climbs in Utah where I live!
Keep up the excellent work with this page!
Author
Thank you so much for writing in with this info. I have seriously been considering going mirrorless…the Canon 5D is a beast but I love the photos we get with it. Thanks for the recommendation…it’s nice to get suggestions from other travelers/photographers. You’re also very lucky to live in Utah…we travel out your way at least once a year and joke that we should just move there. Happy travel and thanks again, Julie
Hi Julie,
Love your blogs. I wanted to know what software you use for time lapses and video editing. Do you use lightroom for time lapses or something else?
Aditi
Author
We use Premier Pro for video editing. I use Lightroom for photo editing. If we have any time lapses on our website, they were most likely filmed with our point-and-shoot camera, which has a time lapse feature built in, so they weren’t edited. Cheers, Julie
Hello Julie, Thank you for posting all the information on how you capture these amazing photos! We are travelling to New Zealand next month and would like to take good pictures of our adventure, however, we are very much beginners. Do you have any advise on a good beginner camera ? Any information would be very helpful!
BTW, love your blog!
Liz
Author
Hello Lizbeth. I’m glad you like our blog! 🙂 Before moving to the Canon 5D Mark 3 and 4, I used the Canon entry-level DSLR cameras and loved them (I’ve been a Canon fan since 1998). I don’t know a whole lot about them, but a lot of people like mirrorless cameras. They are smaller and lighter and more travel friendly. I have not made the switch (or looked into making the switch) since I so comfortable with the Mark 4 (and invested a lot of money into it). I don’t have any specific suggestions, but I recommend visiting a good camera store and learning about your options. It also really helps to hold it and try it out in the store before you buy it. BTW, occasionally an iPhone photo will sneak its way into a blog post. The panorama feature is incredible. The newer smart phones have great cameras. I still really think its worth it to get a “real” camera, but a smart phone is a nice back up. Have fun in New Zealand! Cheers, Julie
Do you have a sample picture that you can post (1) straight from camera VS (2) With Lightroom edits.
Just trying to figure out what is contributing more towards great quality pictures you have posted.
I’m in the middle of deciding camera for purchase. I’m leaning towards Canon EOS R (Mirrorless version of 5D Mark IV).
Author
No, sorry, I don’t have a sample unedited photo, but I’m glad you like my photos. When I edit in Lightroom, I increase saturation and contrast, enough to give the photos some punch, but not enough to alter the photo too much. I wish I knew more about the mirrorless version. The Canon 5D Mark IV takes extraordinary photos, but it’s a big, heavy camera. If there is a big difference between size and weight for the mirrorless (with the mirrorless being lighter) that would be a bonus. The size of the Canon 5D is a negative, especially while hiking, but it is durable. It has taken tons of abuse and has been very reliable. Check out some forums online and try them out in a store. Good luck in your research! Cheers, Julie
Thanks Julie for your inputs! Your pictures are indeed great and it has influenced me to go for Canon camera and lens that you have used.
Hi! What do you use for rain protection for you camera while you are out hiking? Heading to Iceland next month and can’t wait to take pictures!
Author
I have a dry bag that I put the camera into to carry it around when it is really raining (have used it in Iceland several times so far this trip). An umbrella works well as long as it is not too windy. And sometimes, I just let the camera get wet for a little bit. The camera I have, the Canon 5D Mark 4, is very durable and tolerates getting a little bit wet without any issues (so far). And I carry a towel to dry it off and special cloths to keep the lens dry. But no fancy camera gear, although I think you can but special sleeves for cameras, but I haven’t tried those yet. Have fun in Iceland…it’s so much fun to photograph! Cheers, Julie
Hi there! We will be visiting Norway in a few weeks and are hoping to bring our drone – as a visitor, did you need to do anything special to use it in Norway? We have Canadian recreational drone licenses, and we’ve looked at the Norwegian drone regulations – but do the exam/specific insurance requirements also apply to visitors? Thank you!
Author
When we were in Norway last year and flew our drone, we did not do anything special. We just heeded the rules, stayed away from airports, large groups of people, etc. However, rules are always changing so I do not know if anything has changed since our visit. I do not know anything about the exam and insurance requirements, so either that is new or applies only to Norwegians. Cheers, Julie
Thanks for this very helpful post! Would you recommend this camera and Canon 24 – 70 mm f/2.8 II USM Zoom Lens for night photography (capturing the stars)? Appreciate your help.
Author
Hello Nicole. I wish I could give you an easy answer to this but I have not done night photography yet. It’s a great camera and a great lens but I recommend getting on a photography forum or searching nighttime photography gear just to make sure you make the correct purchase. I know the camera is worth it but double check the lens choice. Just 2 weeks ago I added the Canon 16-35 mm f/4 to my camera bag and love it!! That would be one to consider, also. Cheers, Julie
Hi! I think what you guys do as a family is wonderful! We hope to do that in the future with our 2 girls! My husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland on May 1st and I’m on the fence on buying a drone. I have never used one and I’m concerned that there is a lot of limitations of where you can fly. Are there a lot of restrictions in Scotland? We plan to go Edinburg, Glascow, Glen Coe, Skye and Inverness. Any advice will greatly appreciate. Thanks!
Author
Yes, we have a drone, and honestly, we hardly use it because of the limitations. However, the times we have used it (mainly in Scotland, Ireland, and Norway) the footage has been spectacular. You won’t be able to fly it in Edinburgh or Glasgow, since they are cities. If the rules haven’t changed since our visit in 2016, you can use it in Glen Coe, Skye and Inverness. I would do a Google search on updated drone rules for Scotland, just to be sure. And you are not allowed to fly drones around castles, so you won’t be able to get aerial views of Eilean Donan and other castles (bummer!!). So, I guess you have to decide if it is worth the expense to occasionally get to use your drone when you travel. Currently, we are in Greece and didn’t bring it, since we could only fly it 50 meters from us and flight paths have to be pre-approved. The rules are different in every country and usually they are quite prohibitive. Cheers, Julie
I’m going to Ireland and considering buying a drone to take with me. Where would I look to find info on the rules for using the drone in Ireland?
Author
Click here for more information on drones in Ireland. You will have to register your drone before your trip (we had to do this too). Cheers, Julie
I have a one-step-above beginner camera, and I have almost exhausted its features. Instead of taking the plunge to buy a much nicer camera, I would love to purchase someone’s used, but still newer camera (like your Canon 5D Mark III). I asked a few friends but none of us have a level camera like you have. Do you know of any sites/communities that sell or trade cameras? I looked to rent a camera like yours but for the length of our trip it would be close to 1/3 the price of just purchasing the camera. Thank you! (Your blog is inspiring, by the way!)
Author
Hello Catherine. Sorry, I’m not going to be much help here. My idea would be to contact Canon. They refurbish cameras so they might be able to tell you where to purchase one (or maybe you can purchase a refurbished camera from them). Cheers, Julie
I am wondering how you are able to capture such beautiful colors in your pictures!
Author
We use a good camera (the Canon 5D Mark IV) and then I use Lightroom to edit the photos. Cheers, Julie
Wow! Your blog is like a book you can’t put down. We printed your 10 day America Southwest itinerary and are now planning our trip – we fly in to Phoenix and leave Las Vegas – we can’t wait.
Author
One of our favorite trips of all time. Enjoy!! Cheers, Julie
Love your Blog! It’s one of the best I’ve ever read.
Author
Thank you!!! Cheers, Julie
Hi thanks for a great and helpful post. Just wondering if you use any filters and which you recommend? Thanks
Author
Yes, it’s funny you ask that, because I just realized this post doesn’t list my filters . I use a B+W 0.6 – 4X neutral density filter (love this filter!) to to get the frozen waterfall effect. I always have B+W UV filter attached to my camera lens. I just bought a Pro Master HGX Prime 16x neutral density filter (because I left my other one at home) but I haven’t used it enough yet to say whether or not I like it. And I have a polarizer but I never use it. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie,
Love your photography! I pretty much practice your advice on shooting and have similar composition style (rule of thirds rules!). I know how much time it takes to find and shoot the perfect shot from different creative angles that you’re trying to find – probably most effectively done while by yourself. But with kids in tow I’m sure you’ve had to deal with their growing impatience during a trip. How do you balance photo creativity time with family “just enjoy the moment” time? One time on a trip to Europe I overheard my teenage son tell my wife, “Why does he always have to take pictures? Can’t he just enjoy the moment and soak it in?”
Author
Tyler and Kara have traveled with us for so long that waiting for me to take photos is “just the way it is.” However, there have been times where we did plan on parking ourselves in one spot so I could photograph a sunrise or sunset. I tell them ahead of time my plans so they know what to expect. I try to only take long exposure shots when it’s really worth it, so I don’t drive my kids crazy. And there are times where I do go out on my own, and Tim joins me, and we leave Tyler and Kara at the hotel (or at home). But your son is right, sometimes it’s best to put down the camera and just enjoy the moment. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie,
I already said it in my email a short while ago; thank you for putting so much effort in this website. Amazing job.
I too carry my Nikon D300s in my hand while travelling. Just makes it easy to snap pictures as you go. My question is about your camera strap. Since it attaches to the base of the camera, I am always worried it might come loose at the attachment site. What is your experience?
Second question; I permanently store my pictures in external hard drives. Three separate drives and try to keep them at different locations. What is your method of permanent storage?
Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
Regards
Muhammad
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Hello Muhammad. The camera strap does occasionally loosen. I’ve had a few instances where the camera came off the strap, but fortunately I had it in my hand. Even with the strap, rarely do I let it dangle at my side. I now tighten it every day or so and that keeps the camera from coming off.
We do the same thing with our photos…store them on hard drives at multiple locations. I back them up on a hard drive while traveling, too, just in case my memory card or computer fails. As a final precaution, I back up our best photos on Smug Mug, probably overkill, but our photos our one of my favorite possessions (and we need them to run this site!).
Cheers, Julie
Julie,
Thank you very much for your response to my questions. Nothing is an ‘overkill’ when it comes to saving family travel pictures. 🙂
Regards
Muhammad
Hi Julie, I really enjoyed looking through your website, what an amazing trip. I have the Canon 5D Mark IV and I plan to carry it around in the PacSafe 200 CitySafe bag. My question is, did you use any bag inserts or any padded cases for the camera and lenses? If yes what did you use? The bag itself is not very padded and I’m just thinking I need for protection in the bag. Thanks!
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I just put the camera right in the center compartment of the bag and I don’t use anything extra. There isn’t much more room for anything extra, like another lens. I’ve never felt like it needed to be more durable. As long as you don’t drop it on the ground it should be fine. Cheers, Julie
I’ve been looking into buying the citysafe bag, but haven’t been able to find anything about whether or not it is waterproof. Has it done a nice job of keeping your camera dry?
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The material of the bag is pretty thick and it stays dry inside, unless you’re out in the rain for a long period of time or you get stuck in a terrible downpour. I just used it in the rain yesterday…was outside about one hour in off and on rain showers and the inside stayed nice and dry on the inside. It’s not waterproof or water resistant but it can tolerate a fair amount of rain. Cheers, Julie
Awesome! Follow up question… is the 5 liter bag big enough for a camera, or did you end up getting the 10 liter bag?
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I have the Citysafe CS200, the 10 L bag. My DSLR would not fit in the 5L bag. There is extra room in the 10L bag, but I use this for camera accessories, a water bottle, and odds and ends we need while traveling. Cheers, Julie
Hi, I love your blog and photos, especially the ones with the drone. We are headed to Edinburgh and Isle of Skye in a week. How did you know where you could use the drone?
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There are a few ways we know …There are apps like AirMap that will provide guidance. Some places will post signs stating that drone usage is not allowed (like at Eilean Donan Castle). Sometimes our DJI controller will warn us that we are trying to fly in a place that isn’t allowed. We do some research before we go to understand the rules and regulations of that country. It seems like the rules are always changing, so what was OK for us to do in 2016 could be different this year (but hopefully not! 🙂 ). Other than that we use common sense, don’t fly in populated areas, don’t fly near airports, don’t fly where/when we would disturb other people, etc. Cheers, Julie and Tim
Thank you so much!!!
I am curious as to what drone you took and carried? Thanks in advance
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We use the DJI Phantom 4 drone.
Thanks for the info! I am curious to know how you carried all this, especially with all the hiking your family does!! I own a mark ii so I am aware of how cumbersome this camera is. Did you carry your telephoto lens on all your hikes too?
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Hello Jane. On hikes, I carry the camera in my hand, believe it or not. I do use the cross-body strap just to prevent dropping it. I have found that I take many more photos if my camera is in my hand rather than in a backpack. Tim or I carry a backpack on hikes and inside is the tripod, intervalometer, and extra batteries. I really only use the 24-70 mm lens, the telephoto was only used on safari so far. When walking around cities, I put all of this inside of the PacSafe Handbag. Cheers, Julie
Hi,
The more I read your blogs the more I admired your generosity when it comes to sharing information about your travels, and for that I thank you. Most bloggers don’t do that…
What advise you have for single travellers? It’s always difficult to get someone to take your photo or take a good shot. I’m thinking of getting a selfie stick for my next trip but am not thrilled about the idea. Any suggestions? Thank you.
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That’s a tricky one. I’ve been lucky to always have Tim at my side, so taking photos were easy. The selfie stick sounds like a great idea. They are very popular. In fact, I have felt like maybe we’re missing out on something because we don’t use one. You could set up a tripod with an intervalometer attached to your camera, but that can be a hassle if you are trying to get a simple photo of yourself. If you do need to ask someone to take a photo of you, pick a person who has a camera hanging around their neck. They are a better bet for taking a good quality photo of you. If that doesn’t work, compose your photo how you want it, and tell your “volunteer” to take it exactly how you have it set up. Hopefully these help! 🙂 – Julie
Thanks for this. Its great to get advice like this, particularly with regards to the Tripod. I have been in the market for a little while but was having trouble making a decision as each tripod seemed to offer different benefits.
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Hello Adrian. We’ve had great luck with our MeFOTO. I know that there are more expensive and supposedly better options out there, but we love this tripod. Cheers, Julie